Putting together a light kit involves a lot of pieces and it's difficult to know if you got all the right parts, so here's a list of what you'll need to get your flash off your camera. You'll need a light stand, a flash holder to attach your flash to the stand and allow you to add an umbrella and to tilt the flash, a way to trigger your flash and a sand bag to keep the whole thing from falling over from wind or bumps.
Inexpensive setup that will work well
(This list assumes you already have a flash)
Flash Holder / Umbrella Bracket $15.25
Total Cost $174.10
Setup with higher quality components
(This list assumes you already have a flash)
45" Convertible Umbrella $37.95
Flash Holder / Umbrella Bracket $15.25
Light Stand $59.90
Flash Triggers (need 2) $149.00 ea.
Total Cost $437.05
What do you recommend? Tell us in the comments below.
Comments
http://www.amazon.com/Yongnuo-Wireless-Trigger-Shutter-Transceiver/dp/B004YW79F4/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1359041134&sr=8-3&keywords=yongnuo+rf-603
I have used the previous generation for years now without fail and they are less than $35 nowadays.
I think I will finally invest in a sandbag myself as I am tried of light stands falling over when there seems to be no wind then suddenly a slight gust blows over my brolly denting it.
And the lists were put together assuming the photographer already owns a speedlight right? That is the biggest expense of them all for strobist work!
The wired trigger is rock-solid reliable, and I can optically slave additional flashes off it pretty easily.
Here is the one I have, it's more expensive than some other choices, but is a little more versatile:
http://mpex.com/2x-hot-shoe-universal-translator-kit-w-16ft-mini-mini-cable.html